Uruguay's Terrain: Rolling Plains, Low Hills, and Fertile Coast

Uruguay's topography is gentle and uniform—no mountains, no deserts, no jungles. Just productive land.

Overview

• Dominant: Rolling plains (pampas) and low hills (cuchillas).
• Coastal lowland: Fertile alluvial strip along Río de la Plata and Atlantic.
• Highest point: Cerro Catedral — 514 m (1,686 ft).

Geographic Coordinates & Regions

• 33°00′S, 56°00′W
• Northern plains: Basaltic, warmer, cattle country.
• Southern uplands: Sedimentary, cooler, agriculture (wheat, soy, citrus).

Land Use (2011)

• Arable: 7.4%
• Permanent crops: 0.06%
• Forest: 4.6% (mostly plantations: eucalyptus, pine)
• Water: 1.5%
• Other (mostly pasture): 86.5%

Natural Hazards & Issues

• Periodic droughts (La Niña years).
• Water pollution (industrial/ag runoff).
• Soil erosion (overgrazing, soybean expansion).
• Habitat loss (grassland conversion).

Uruguay's terrain is its economy: pasture → beef/wool/dairy → exports. Simple, stable, productive.